Pondering Payton Pritchard’s prospects: Possible promotion? Potential payday pending?

Most talented young players in the NBA see their minutes and opportunity increase once they show they’re capable of handling more.

For Payton Pritchard, the opposite has been true.

The 26th pick in the 2020 draft was a meaningful contributor during his first two years in the league, averaging seven points per game while shooting north of 40% from three. He ended up playing a significant role off the bench for the 2022 Finals team, too, and seemed poised to take on a bigger role.

That role never came. In fact, Pritchard’s minutes per game have decreased every season he’s been in the league, from 19.2 to 14.1 to 13.4. He’s had to compete for time at the point guard position with Kemba Walker,…